Neighbors: Girls Club still needs help to save building

A while back, I told you that the Girls Club of Greenfield was on a campaign to raise money to save Camp Stonehenge on Oak Hill Road in Leyden.

Well, it has raised $2,000 so far.

It began a coin can fundraiser earlier this year, hoping to raise enough to revive the stone building that has fallen into disrepair there.

Over the years, that building was filled with Girl Scouts attending summer camp.

The campaign will continue for a few more months and will be followed by at least one more fundraiser.

The Girls Club, which actually welcomes girls and boys, now owns the property that once housed both its Camp Lion Knoll and Camp Stonehenge.

Nadine Benzaia, executive director of the Girls Club, tells me the beautiful stone building was built with stone quarried in Factory Hollow.

Nadine says not only does the club need your financial help, but is looking for information about Camp Stonehenge’s history, which would include photos and stories from former Brownies, Girl Scouts, Cadettes, troop leaders and anyone else who may have special memories of the place.

Established in 1958 — the year I was born (I’m going to make you do the math) — Camp Lion Knoll is a summer day camp for girls and boys ages 4½ to 12. There are 40 acres of open fields and pine forests, a man-made swimming area, a crafts pavilion, a large dining hall with attached kitchen, and a nature cabin and bathhouse.

Nadine says the Girls Club, which runs toddler, preschool and after-school programs for families of all incomes, hopes to open the building to provide year-round programming.

So, if any of you would like to help, send your photos, stories or donations to: Girls Club of Greenfield, 35 Pierce St., Greenfield, MA 01301.

For more information, call 413-774-7407 or email: girlsclb@crocker.com.

DAVID BRULE WILL READ from and discuss his new book, “West Along the River 2: Stories from the Connecticut River Valley and Elsewhere,” on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Boswell’s Books in Shelburne Falls.

It’s David’s second book in a series about nature, village life and sense of place in the valley and beyond.

THE RECOVER PROJECT, a community-driven, peer-to-peer center aiming to enhance the lives of people in recovery, will host an Open Mic Night on Aug. 22 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at 1 Osgood St. in Greenfield. Admission is by donation.

The event is family-friendly and alcohol-free. Coffee and light refreshments will be sold.

BUCKLAND PUBLIC HALL at 15 Upper St. will hold its annual tag sale on Aug. 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Aug. 24 from noon to 4 p.m. On Aug. 24, people will be able to fill a bag for $2. All proceeds will benefit the hall’s preservation and maintenance.

ALUMS OF THE FIRST 12 classes of Mohawk Trail Regional High School (1968-1979) will hold a class reunion on Aug. 31 at noon on the Charlemont Fairgrounds just off Route 8A.

The cost is $20 at the gate. All proceeds will be donated to the school.

Bring a chair and a blanket and your own picnic fare. No outside alcohol or dogs will be allowed on the property.

For more information, call Tammy Dubuque at 413-369-9983 or email her at: tammy@shelburnefallsbowling.com.

OUR NEIGHBOR MALCOLM SMITH, a recent graduate of Turners Falls High School, received a $1,000 Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship for his excellence in academics, leadership and community service.

Congratulations, Malcolm!

CONGRESSMAN JIM McGOVERN will participate in the ALS Association Ice Bucket Challenge that many Franklin County firefighters and police officers have taken. It involves getting doused with ice water and raising money for the charity.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig disease, is a progressive disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Between July 29 and August 12, The ALS Association and its 38 chapters have received $4 million in donations compared to $1.12 million during the same time period last year through the challenge which has gone viral on social media.

To contact Anita Fritz, a staff reporter at The Recorder, send an email to: franklincountyneighbors@gmail.com or call 413-772-0261, ext. 280. You can also reach Anita on Facebook at Anita’s Neighbors. Information to be included in Neighbors may also be sent to: neighbors@recorder.com up to noon two days before you want it to run.